Album review: The Walkmen – Lisbon
Formed in 2000 out of the ashes of Jonathan Fire*Eater and The Recoys, the Walkmen’s finest moment was 2004’s ‘The Rat’ taken from the Bows & Arrows album. Since then they have struggled to reach the same dizzy heights, both creatively and commercially. Now, hot on the heels of single ‘Angela Surf City’ the Walkmen are about to release ‘Lisbon’, their sixth studio album.
‘Lisbon’ finds the band at a creative brick wall. Over the years their sound seems to have got watered down to such a degree that ‘Lisbon’ sounds like a collaboration by the Zutons and the Stereophonics (two other bands that should have hung up their instruments some time ago). There’s nothing particularly wrong with the album but it’s….. bland! There are moments where you’re reminded of what the Walkmen are capable of, especially single ‘Surf City Angela’, The Walkmen’s answer to ‘Valerie’ (I wonder if Mark Ronson will ruin that one too?), though It’s received so much radio play I’ve already tired of it. ‘Woe Is Me’ is also quite jolly and upbeat despite the title but the majority of the tracks are filler. In particular ‘Follow The Leader’ is so scrappy I genuinely struggled to find a tune in it and ‘All My Great Designs’ and ‘While I Shovel The Snow’ not only sent me to sleep but my cat too!
On the whole I’m sad to say that while I was looking forward to hearing ‘Lisbon’ I found it to be boring and uninspiring. 2/5
Mark Cousens
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